The only way I wouldn't take that free pile of cash is if I was absolutely certain I wasn't going to stay.
If I was just using Frontier for type and was going to try for United immediately, then yes, I wouldn't take it.
But if you think that maybe you'd like to stay here, you'd really kick yourself for leaving 35k behind.
And yes, you will have to repay it if you bail. Don't be stupid. Frontier isn't just going to let you keep if it ig you don't hold up your end of the bargain.
This has been going on at the regionals for over a decade. Not sure why this is all a new, complicated mystery for everyone??
And again I'll point out: 35k is what I made at Frontier my first year. New hires are hitting the damn jackpot now. 35k bonus, $90/ hour, paid hotels, and the fastest growing airline in the country.